Hybrid low power network device

ABSTRACT

A hybrid low power network device comprising: a wave  1  radio configured to provide client devices wireless access to a network using SU-MIMO, a wave  2  radio configured to provide the client devices wireless access to the network using MU-MIMO, a radio management system configured to assign client devices to either the wave  1  radio or the wave  2  radio for communicating over wireless communication channels in accessing the network, first and second Ethernet ports, wherein at least one of the first and second Ethernet ports are configured to provide power to the hybrid low power network device and allow at least one of the wave  1  radio and the wave  2  radio to communicate with the network, in operation the hybrid low power network device is configured to operate at a power consumption level between 15 and  17  W in providing the client devices wireless access to the network.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 62/241,080 filed Oct.13, 2015, which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

An area of ongoing research and development is access points. Inparticular multi-user multi-input multi-output (“MU-MIMO”) access pointshave been developed. MU-MIMO access points consume more power thansingle-user multi-input multi-output (“SU-MIMO”) access points.

There therefore exists a need for MU-MIMO configured access pointsoperating at lower power consumption levels.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations relatedtherewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Otherlimitations of the relevant art will become apparent to those of skillin the art upon reading the specification and studying of the drawings.

SUMMARY

The following implementations and aspects thereof are described andillustrated in conjunction with systems, tools, and methods that aremeant to be exemplary and illustrative, not necessarily limiting inscope. In various implementations one or more of the above-describedproblems have been addressed, while other implementations are directedto other improvements.

Various implementations include a hybrid low power network device.

In various implementations, a hybrid low power network device comprisesa wave 1 radio configured to provide client devices wireless access to anetwork using SU-MIMO. Further, in various implementations, a hybrid lowpower network device comprises a wave 2 radio configured to provide theclient devices wireless access to the network using MU-MIMO. In variousimplementations, a hybrid low power network devices comprises a radiomanagement system configured to assign the client devices to either thewave 1 radio or the wave 2 radio for communicating over wirelesscommunication channels in accessing the network. Additionally, invarious implementations, a hybrid low power network device comprisesfirst and second Ethernet ports, wherein at least one of the first andsecond Ethernet ports are configured to provide power to the hybrid lowpower network device and allow at least one of the wave 1 radio and thewave 2 radio to communicate with the network. In variousimplementations, in operation, a hybrid low power network device isconfigured to operate at a power consumption level between 15 and 17 Win providing the client devices wireless access to the network.

These and other advantages will become apparent to those skilled in therelevant art upon a reading of the following descriptions and a study ofthe several examples of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a diagram of a system for providing wireless access to aplurality of client devices using a hybrid low power network device.

FIG. 2 depicts an example diagram of a hybrid low power network device.

FIG. 3 depicts a diagram of an example of a system for managing radiosin a hybrid low power network device.

FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of an example of a system for managing powerconsumption in a hybrid low power network device.

FIG. 5 depicts a diagram of a flowchart of an example method forassigning a client device to communicate with a wave 1 radio or a wave 2radio of a hybrid low power network device in accessing a network.

FIG. 6 depicts a diagram of a flowchart of an example method formanaging power consumption of a hybrid low power network device inaccessing a network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a diagram 100 of a system for providing wireless accessto a plurality of client devices using a hybrid low power networkdevice. The example system shown in FIG. 1 includes a computer-readablemedium 102, a first client device 104, a second client device 106, and ahybrid low power network device 108.

In the example system shown in FIG. 1, the first client device 104, thesecond client device 106, and the hybrid low power network device 108are coupled to each other through the computer-readable medium 102. Asused in this paper, a “computer-readable medium” is intended to includeall mediums that are statutory (e.g., in the United States, under 35U.S.C. 101), and to specifically exclude all mediums that arenon-statutory in nature to the extent that the exclusion is necessaryfor a claim that includes the computer-readable medium to be valid.Known statutory computer-readable mediums include hardware (e.g.,registers, random access memory (RAM), non-volatile (NV) storage, toname a few), but may or may not be limited to hardware.

The computer-readable medium 102 is intended to represent a variety ofpotentially applicable technologies. For example, the computer-readablemedium 102 can be used to form a network or part of a network. Where twocomponents are co-located on a device, the computer-readable medium 102can include a bus or other data conduit or plane. Where a firstcomponent is co-located on one device and a second component is locatedon a different device, the computer-readable medium 102 can include awireless or wired back-end network or LAN. The computer-readable medium102 can also encompass a relevant portion of a WAN or other network, ifapplicable.

The computer-readable medium 102, the first client device 104, thesecond client device 106, the hybrid low power network device 108, andother applicable systems or devices described in this paper can beimplemented as a computer system, a plurality of computer systems, orparts of a computer system or a plurality of computer systems. Ingeneral, a computer system will include a processor, memory,non-volatile storage, and an interface. A typical computer system willusually include at least a processor, memory, and a device (e.g., a bus)coupling the memory to the processor. The processor can be, for example,a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), such as amicroprocessor, or a special-purpose processor, such as amicrocontroller.

The memory can include, by way of example but not limitation, randomaccess memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM).The memory can be local, remote, or distributed. The bus can also couplethe processor to non-volatile storage. The non-volatile storage is oftena magnetic floppy or hard disk, a magnetic-optical disk, an opticaldisk, a read-only memory (ROM), such as a CD-ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM, amagnetic or optical card, or another form of storage for large amountsof data. Some of this data is often written, by a direct memory accessprocess, into memory during execution of software on the computersystem. The non-volatile storage can be local, remote, or distributed.The non-volatile storage is optional because systems can be created withall applicable data available in memory.

Software is typically stored in the non-volatile storage. Indeed, forlarge programs, it may not even be possible to store the entire programin the memory. Nevertheless, it should be understood that for softwareto run, if necessary, it is moved to a computer-readable locationappropriate for processing, and for illustrative purposes, that locationis referred to as the memory in this paper. Even when software is movedto the memory for execution, the processor will typically make use ofhardware registers to store values associated with the software, andlocal cache that, ideally, serves to speed up execution. As used herein,a software program is assumed to be stored at an applicable known orconvenient location (from non-volatile storage to hardware registers)when the software program is referred to as “implemented in acomputer-readable storage medium.” A processor is considered to be“configured to execute a program” when at least one value associatedwith the program is stored in a register readable by the processor.

In one example of operation, a computer system can be controlled byoperating system software, which is a software program that includes afile management system, such as a disk operating system. One example ofoperating system software with associated file management systemsoftware is the family of operating systems known as Windows® fromMicrosoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and their associated filemanagement systems. Another example of operating system software withits associated file management system software is the Linux operatingsystem and its associated file management system. The file managementsystem is typically stored in the non-volatile storage and causes theprocessor to execute the various acts required by the operating systemto input and output data and to store data in the memory, includingstoring files on the non-volatile storage.

The bus can also couple the processor to the interface. The interfacecan include one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices. The I/Odevices can include, by way of example but not limitation, a keyboard, amouse or other pointing device, disk drives, printers, a scanner, andother I/O devices, including a display device. The display device caninclude, by way of example but not limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT),liquid crystal display (LCD), or some other applicable known orconvenient display device. The interface can include one or more of amodem or network interface. It will be appreciated that a modem ornetwork interface can be considered to be part of the computer system.The interface can include an analog modem, ISDN modem, cable modem,token ring interface, Ethernet interface, satellite transmissioninterface (e.g. “direct PC”), or other interfaces for coupling acomputer system to other computer systems. Interfaces enable computersystems and other devices to be coupled together in a network.

The computer systems can be compatible with or implemented as part of orthrough a cloud-based computing system. As used in this paper, acloud-based computing system is a system that provides virtualizedcomputing resources, software and/or information to client devices. Thecomputing resources, software and/or information can be virtualized bymaintaining centralized services and resources that the edge devices canaccess over a communication interface, such as a network. “Cloud” may bea marketing term and for the purposes of this paper can include any ofthe networks described herein. The cloud-based computing system caninvolve a subscription for services or use a utility pricing model.Users can access the protocols of the cloud-based computing systemthrough a web browser or other container application located on theirclient device.

A computer system can be implemented as an engine, as part of an engine,or through multiple engines. As used in this paper, an engine includesone or more processors or a portion thereof. A portion of one or moreprocessors can include some portion of hardware less than all of thehardware comprising any given one or more processors, such as a subsetof registers, the portion of the processor dedicated to one or morethreads of a multi-threaded processor, a time slice during which theprocessor is wholly or partially dedicated to carrying out part of theengine's functionality, or the like. As such, a first engine and asecond engine can have one or more dedicated processors, or a firstengine and a second engine can share one or more processors with oneanother or other engines. Depending upon implementation-specific orother considerations, an engine can be centralized or its functionalitydistributed. An engine can include hardware, firmware, or softwareembodied in a computer-readable medium for execution by the processor.The processor transforms data into new data using implemented datastructures and methods, such as is described with reference to the FIGS.in this paper.

The engines described in this paper, or the engines through which thesystems and devices described in this paper can be implemented, can becloud-based engines. As used in this paper, a cloud-based engine is anengine that can run applications and/or functionalities using acloud-based computing system. All or portions of the applications and/orfunctionalities can be distributed across multiple computing devices,and need not be restricted to only one computing device. In someembodiments, the cloud-based engines can execute functionalities and/ormodules that end users access through a web browser or containerapplication without having the functionalities and/or modules installedlocally on the end-users' computing devices.

As used in this paper, datastores are intended to include repositorieshaving any applicable organization of data, including tables,comma-separated values (CSV) files, traditional databases (e.g., SQL),or other applicable known or convenient organizational formats.Datastores can be implemented, for example, as software embodied in aphysical computer-readable medium on a general- or specific-purposemachine, in firmware, in hardware, in a combination thereof, or in anapplicable known or convenient device or system. Datastore-associatedcomponents, such as database interfaces, can be considered “part of” adatastore, part of some other system component, or a combinationthereof, though the physical location and other characteristics ofdatastore-associated components is not critical for an understanding ofthe techniques described in this paper.

Datastores can include data structures. As used in this paper, a datastructure is associated with a particular way of storing and organizingdata in a computer so that it can be used efficiently within a givencontext. Data structures are generally based on the ability of acomputer to fetch and store data at any place in its memory, specifiedby an address, a bit string that can be itself stored in memory andmanipulated by the program. Thus, some data structures are based oncomputing the addresses of data items with arithmetic operations; whileother data structures are based on storing addresses of data itemswithin the structure itself. Many data structures use both principles,sometimes combined in non-trivial ways. The implementation of a datastructure usually entails writing a set of procedures that create andmanipulate instances of that structure. The datastores, described inthis paper, can be cloud-based datastores. A cloud-based datastore is adatastore that is compatible with cloud-based computing systems andengines.

In a specific implementation, the hybrid low power network device 108 iscoupled through a Wi-Fi connection to the first client device 104 andthe second client device 106, which act as or include a station. Astation, as used in this paper, can be referred to as a device with amedia access control (MAC) address and a physical layer (PHY) interfaceto a wireless medium that complies with the IEEE 802.11 standard. Thus,for example, the first client device 104 and the second client device106 can be referred to as stations, if applicable. IEEE 802.11a-1999,IEEE 802.11b-1999, IEEE 802.11g-2003, IEEE 802.11-2007, IEEE 802.11n TGnDraft 8.0 (2009), and IEEE 802.11ac-2013 are incorporated by reference.As used in this paper, a system that is 802.11 standards-compatible or802.11 standards-compliant complies with at least some of one or more ofthe incorporated documents' requirements and/or recommendations, orrequirements and/or recommendations from earlier drafts of thedocuments, and includes Wi-Fi systems. Wi-Fi is a non-technicaldescription that is generally correlated with the IEEE 802.11 standards,as well as Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA2 security standards, andthe Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) standard. In alternativeembodiments, a station may comply with a different standard than Wi-Fior IEEE 802.11, may be referred to as something other than a “station,”and may have different interfaces to a wireless or other medium.

In a specific implementation, the hybrid low power network device 108 iscompliant with IEEE 802.3. IEEE 802.3 is a working group and acollection of IEEE standards produced by the working group defining thephysical layer and data link layer's MAC of wired Ethernet. This isgenerally a local area network technology with some wide area networkapplications. Physical connections are typically made between nodesand/or infrastructure devices (hubs, switches, routers) by various typesof copper or fiber cable. IEEE 802.3 is a technology that supports theIEEE 802.1 network architecture. As is well-known in the relevant art,IEEE 802.11 is a working group and collection of standards forimplementing wireless local area network (WLAN) computer communicationin the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands. The base version of thestandard IEEE 802.11-2007 has had subsequent amendments. These standardsprovide the basis for wireless network products using the Wi-Fi brand.IEEE 802.1 and 802.3 are incorporated by reference.

In a specific implementation, either or both the first client device 104and the second client device 106 are configured to receive datawirelessly through a wireless connection established and maintainedusing MU-MIMO. Depending upon implementation-specific or otherconsiderations, when the first client device 104 and the second clientdevice 106 are both configured to receive data through wirelessconnections established and maintained using MU-MIMO, the first clientdevice 104 and the second client device 106 can be differentiated, e.g.for purposes of transmitting wireless signals to the first client device104 and the second client device 106, based on corresponding spatialsignatures of the first client device 104 and the second client device106. As a result, the first client device 104 and the second clientdevice 106 can simultaneously access the same wireless channel. Invarious implementations, the first client device 104 and the secondclient device 106 include one or a plurality of antennas forcommunicating over a wireless connection.

The hybrid low power network device 108 functions according to anapplicable network device for providing network access to client devicesthrough a wireless connection. In providing network access to clientdevices, the hybrid low power network device 108 can establish andmaintain a wireless connection with the client devices. In establishingand maintaining a wireless connection with client devices, the hybridlow power network device 108 can transmit data to the client devices andreceive data from the client devices.

The hybrid low power network device 108 is configured to provide networkaccess through wireless connections using either or both MU-MIMO andSU-MIMO. The hybrid low power network device 108 is “hybrid” in that itcan provide network access through wireless connections using eitherMU-MIMO or SU-MIMO. Depending upon implementation-specific or otherconsiderations, the hybrid low power network device 108 can providenetwork access through wireless connections simultaneously to aplurality of client devices using both MU-MIMO and SU-MIMO. For example,the hybrid low power network device 108 can provide access to a networkfor a first client device through a first wireless connectionestablished and maintained using MU-MIMO and provide access to thenetwork for a second client device through a second wireless connectionestablished and maintained using SU-MIMO. Further depending uponimplementation-specific or other considerations, the hybrid low powernetwork device 108 provides network access through wireless connectionssimultaneously to a plurality of client devices using MU-MIMO. Forexample, the hybrid low power network device 108 can provide access to anetwork for a first client device through a first wireless connectionestablished and maintained using MU-MIMO and provide access to thenetwork for a second client device through a second wireless connectionestablished and maintained using MU-MIMO. In providing network accessthrough wireless connections using MU-MIMO, the hybrid low power networkdevice 108 can transmit data to client devices according to applicablemethods for providing MU-MIMO access to client devices, such as themethods discussed in IEEE 802.11ac-2013.

The hybrid low power network device 108 includes a first radioconfigured to provide access to a network using SU-MIMO and a secondradio configured to provide access to a network using MU-MIMO. A secondradio included as part of the hybrid low power network device 108 andconfigured to provide access to a network using MU-MIMO can functionaccording to an applicable 802.11ac wave 2 radio for transmitting andreceiving data through a wireless connection. A first radio included aspart of the hybrid low power network device 108 and configured toprovide access to a network using SU-MIMO can function according to anapplicable radio for transmitting and receiving data wirelesslyaccording to SU-MIMO. As used in this paper, a wave 1 radio is a radioconfigured to provide access to a network through a wirelesscommunication channel using SU-MIMO. Further, as used in this paper, awave 2 radio is a radio configured to provide access to a networkthrough a wireless communication channel using MU-MIMO. Depending uponimplementation-specific or other considerations, a first radio includedas part of the hybrid low power network device 108 can be configured tooperate within the 2.4 GHz band.

In a specific implementation, the hybrid low power network device 108operates at an energy consumption rate beneath or equal to 17 W.Depending upon implementation-specific or other considerations, thehybrid low power network device 108 operates at an energy consumptionrate beneath the IEEE 802.3af power over Ethernet limit, e.g. around15.5 W. In operating at an energy consumption rate beneath or equal to17 W, the hybrid low power network device 108 can control operation ofcomponents within the hybrid low power network device 108 to maintain anenergy consumption rate beneath or equal to 17 W. For example, thehybrid low power network device 108 can disable an Ethernet portincluded as part of components within the hybrid low power networkdevice 108 to achieve a power consumption level beneath or equal to 17W.

In a specific implementation, the hybrid low power network device 108 isconfigured to manage data transmission and reception of radios includedas part of the hybrid low power network device 108. Depending uponimplementation-specific or other considerations, in managing datatransmission and reception, the hybrid low power network device 108assigns client devices to a radio in establishing and maintaining awireless connection with the client devices. For example, the hybrid lowpower network device 108 can assign a radio configured to providenetwork access through MU-MIMO to communicate with specific clientdevices. Further depending upon implementation-specific or otherconsiderations, in managing data transmission and reception of radiosincluded as part of the hybrid low power network device 108, the hybridlow power network device 108 assigns what data is to be transmitted andreceived by which radio in establishing and maintain a wirelessconnection. For example, the hybrid low power network device 108 canassign a specific radio to send data related to establishing a wirelessconnection with the hybrid low power network device 108.

In a specific implementation, the hybrid low power network device 108 isconfigured to manage data transmission and reception of radios includedas part of the hybrid low power network device 108 based on devicecharacteristics of client devices accessing the network through thehybrid low power network device 108. As used in this paper, devicecharacteristics of client devices include applicable parameters relatedto accessing a network through a wireless connection. Example devicecharacteristics of client devices include device type, whether a deviceis configured for MU-MIMO operation, and security of a client device. Inan example of operations, the hybrid low power network device 108 canassign a wave 2 radio to provide access to a network through a wirelessconnection to a specific client device if the client device isconfigured to access a network using MU-MIMO. In another example ofoperation, the hybrid low power network device 108 can assign a wave 1radio to provide access to a network through a wireless connection to aspecific client device if the specific client device only has a singleantenna for sending and receiving data.

In a specific implementation, the hybrid low power network device 108 isconfigured to manage data transmission and reception of radios includedas part of the hybrid low power network device 108 based on networktraffic characteristics of the hybrid low power network device 108. Asused in this paper, network traffic characteristics of the hybrid lowpower network device 108 include applicable parameters related toproviding network access by the hybrid low power network device 108.Example network traffic characteristics include used network bandwidth,a number of client devices the hybrid low power network device 108 isproviding network access to, and a number of data streams supported bythe hybrid low power network device 108. In an example of operation, ifa radio supports three data streams, and it is found that the radio isonly currently supporting two data streams, then the hybrid low powernetwork device 108 can assign the radio to serve another client device.

In a specific implementation, the hybrid low power network device 108 isconfigured to manage data transmission and reception of radios includedas part of the hybrid low power network device 108 based on datacharacteristics of data transmitted to and/or received from a clientdevice accessing the network through the hybrid low power network device108. As used in this paper, data characteristics of data can includeapplicable parameters describing data transmitted from and received bythe hybrid low power network device 108 in providing access to anetwork. For example, data characteristics of data can include a sourceof data, a data type of data, and a size of data. In an example ofoperation, if it is determined that voice data is being transmitted toor received by the hybrid low power network device 108, then the hybridlow power network device 108 can assign a wave 2 radio to serve thedata. In another example of operation, if it is determined that data isbeing transmitted to or received by the hybrid low power network device108 from an untrusted source, then the hybrid low power network device108 can assign a wave 1 radio to serve the data.

In a specific implementation, the hybrid low power network device 108 isconfigured to manage data transmission and reception of radios includedas part of the hybrid low power network device 108 based on powerconsumption levels of the hybrid low power network device 108. Forexample if the hybrid low power network device 108 is consuming power ata level that is approaching a threshold power consumption level, e.g. 17W, then the hybrid low power network device 108 can assign clientdevices assigned to a first radio, e.g. a wave 2 radio, to a secondradio, e.g. a wave 1 radio. As wave 1 radios operate at lower powerlevels when compared to wave 2 radios, the overall power consumptionlevel of the hybrid low power network device 108 is decreased.

In an example of operation of the example system shown in FIG. 1, thefirst client device 104 is configured to access a network through awireless connection using SU-MIMO. In the example of operation of theexample system shown in FIG. 1, the second client device 106 isconfigured to access the network through a wireless connection usingMU-MIMO. Further, in the example of operation of the example systemshown in FIG. 1, the hybrid low power network device 108 provides accessfor the first client device 104 to the network through a wave 1 radiousing SU-MIMO and provides access for the second client device 106 tothe network through a wave 2 radio using MU-MIMO.

FIG. 2 depicts an example diagram 200 of a hybrid low power networkdevice. The hybrid low power network device shown in FIG. 2 includes awave 1 radio 202 and a wave 2 radio module 204. The wave 1 radio 202functions according to an applicable radio for providing a client deviceaccess to a network through a wireless communication channel usingSU-MIMO. Depending upon implementation-specific or other considerations,the wave 1 radio 202 can transmit and receive data according to SU-MIMOfor a plurality of client devices. The wave 2 radio 204 functionsaccording to an applicable radio for providing a client device access toa network through a wireless communication channel using MU-MIMO.Depending upon implementation-specific or other considerations, the wave2 radio 204 can transmit and receive data according to MU-MIMO for aplurality of client devices simultaneously.

In a specific implementation, the wave 1 radio 202 is configured toselectively operate within the 2.4 GHz frequency band or the 5 GHzfrequency band. The wave 1 radio 202 can operate using 256 quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM). In various implementations, the wave 1 radio202 operates within a channel width of 80 MHz and supports 3 spatialstreams. Further, in various implementations, the wave 1 radio 202operates at a PHY rate of 600 Mbps.

In a specific implementation, the wave 2 radio 204 operates within the 5GHz frequency band. The wave 2 radio 204 can operate using 256 QAM. Invarious implementations, the wave 2 radio 204 operates within a channelwidth of 160 MHz and supports 4 spatial streams. Further, in variousimplementations, the wave 2 radio 204 operates at a PHY rate of 2.34Gbps to 3.47 Gbps.

The hybrid low power network device shown in FIG. 2 includes a firstantenna array 206 and a second antenna array 208. The first antennaarray 206 is comprised of antennas 206-1 . . . 206-n and the secondantenna array 208 is comprised of antennas 208-1 . . . 208-n. The firstantenna array 206 and the second antenna array can be comprised of anapplicable number of antennas for transmitting data to and receivingdata from clients in providing network access through a wirelesscommunication channel. The first antenna array 206 is associated withthe wave 1 radio 202 and is used in transmitting and receiving signalaccording to SU-MIMO. The second antenna array 208 is associated withthe wave 2 radio 204 and is used in transmitting and receiving signalsaccording to MU-MIMO.

In a specific implementation, antennas forming the first antenna array206 are of the same polarization and antennas forming the second antennaarray 208 are of the same polarization. For example, antennas formingthe first antenna array 206 can all be either vertically polarized orhorizontally polarized with respect to the hybrid low power networkdevice. In another example, antennas forming the second antenna array208 can all be either vertically polarized or horizontally polarizedwith respect to the hybrid low power network device.

In a specific implementation, antennas forming the first antenna array206 are orthogonally polarized with respect to the antennas forming thesecond antenna array 208. As a result, the wave 1 radio 202 and the wave2 radio 204 utilize corresponding polarized antennas that have a 90°phase offset from each other. For example, the first antenna array 206can be formed by vertically polarized antennas that are positioned tohave a +45° phase offset with respect to a center of the hybrid lowpower network device, while the second antenna array 208 can be formedby horizontally polarized antennas that are positioned to have a −45°phase offset with respect to the center of hybrid low power networkdevice, thereby leading to a 90° phase offset between the antennasforming the first antenna array 206 and the antennas forming the secondantenna array 208. While in the previous example, antenna position andphase offset is discussed with respect to a center of the hybrid lowpower network device, positions and phase offsets of antennas formingthe first antenna array 206 and antennas forming the second antennaarray 208 can be with reference to an applicable point, axis, or planewithin or in an environment surrounding the hybrid low power networkdevice as long as the antennas forming the first antenna array 206 andthe antennas forming the second antenna array 208 are orthogonallypolarized with respect to each other. Due to orthogonal polarizationbetween antennas forming the first antenna array 206 and antennasforming the second antenna array 208, at least 40 dB of antennaisolation can be achieved between the antennas forming the first antennaarray 206 and the antennas forming the second antenna array 208.

The hybrid low power network device shown in FIG. 2 includes first andsecond Ethernet ports 210. Either or both of the first and secondEthernet ports 210 can be used to provide power to the hybrid low powernetwork device. Either or both of the first and second Ethernet portscan be used to transmit data to and from the hybrid low power networkdevice in providing access to a network.

The hybrid low power network device shown in FIG. 2 includes a radiomanagement system 212 and a power management system 214. The radiomanagement system 212 functions to manage the wave 1 radio 202 and thewave 2 radio 204 of the hybrid low power network device.

In managing the radios of the hybrid low power network device, the radiomanagement system 212 can assign client devices for the radios tospecifically communicate with in providing network access through awireless communication channel to the client devices. For example, theradio management system 212 can assign a first client device to the wave1 radio 202 and a second client device to the wave 2 radio 204.Depending upon implementation-specific or other considerations, theradio management system 212 can assign client devices to the wave 1radio 202 and the wave 2 radio 204 based on device characteristics ofthe client devices, network traffic characteristics of the hybrid lowpower network device, and/or data characteristics of data transmitted toand/or from the client devices. Further depending uponimplementation-specific or other considerations, the radio managementsystem 212 can assign client device to the wave 1 radio 202 and the wave2 radio 204 based on power consumption levels of the hybrid low powernetwork device.

The power management system 214 functions to manage power consumption ofthe hybrid low power network device. In managing power consumption of ahybrid low power network device, the power management system 214 candetermine how much power is being consumed by components of the hybridlow power network device at any given time. For example, the powermanagement system 214 can determine that the wave 1 radio 202 isconsuming 15 W while the wave 2 radio 204 is consuming 17 W. Further, inmanaging power consumption of a hybrid low power network device, thepower management system 214 can control operation of components of thehybrid low power network device according to power consumption levels ofthe hybrid low power network device. For example, the power managementsystem 214 can disable one of the first and second Ethernet ports 210 ifthe hybrid low power network device is consuming power above a thresholdpower consumption level.

In a specific implementation, the hybrid low power network device shownin FIG. 2 operates within the 802.3af power over Ethernet limit. Forexample, the hybrid low power network device can be configured tooperate beneath around 15.5 W. In various implementations, the radiomanagement system 212, the power management system 214, and associatedcomputer systems, in operation, consume between 6 to 8 W. In variousimplementations, the wave 1 radio 202, in operation, consumes between3.5 to 4 W. In various implementations, the wave 2 radio 204, inoperation, consumes between 4 to 5 W. In various implementations, eachof the first and second Ethernet ports 210, in operation, consumesbetween 0.5 to 1 W.

FIG. 3 depicts a diagram 300 of an example of a system for managingradios in a hybrid low power network device. The system shown in FIG. 3includes a radio management system 302. The radio management system 302functions according to an applicable system for managing radios within ahybrid low power network device, such as the radio management systemsdescribed in this paper. In managing radios within a hybrid low powernetwork device, the radio management system 302 can assign clientdevices to radios for providing the client devices access to a network.Depending upon implementation-specific or other considerations, theradio management system 302 can assign client devices to radios based ondevice characteristics of the client devices, data characteristics ofdata transmitted to and from the client devices, and network trafficcharacteristics.

The example radio management system 302 shown in FIG. 3 includes adevice profiling engine 304, a device characteristics datastore 306, adata profiling engine 308, a data characteristics datastore 310, atraffic profiling engine 312, a traffic characteristics datastore 314,and a radio assignment engine 316. The device profiling engine 304functions to profile device characteristics of a client device. Inprofiling device characteristics of a client device, the deviceprofiling engine 304 can determine device characteristics of a clientdevice and create device characteristics data indicating the determineddevice characteristics. For example, the device profiling engine 304 candetermine that a client device is capable of receiving data transmittedthrough MU-MIMO and generate device characteristics data indicating thatthe client device is capable of receiving data transmitted throughMU-MIMO. Depending upon implementation-specific or other considerations,the device profiling engine 304 can determine device characteristics ofa client device based on data transmitted to the client device. Forexample, if voice data if video data is transmitted to a client device,the device profiling engine 304 can determine that a client device is atablet. Further depending upon implementation-specific or otherconsiderations, the device profiling engine 304 can determine devicecharacteristics of a client device based on whether the client device isa bring your own device or an entity device. For example, if the deviceprofiling engine 304 discovers that a client device is a bring your owndevice, then the device profiling engine 304 can determine that theclient device does not comply with the security policies of a network ofan entity.

In a specific implementation, the device profiling engine 304 functionsto continually determine device characteristics of a device duringmultiple sessions the client device has in accessing a network. Forexample, the device profiling engine 304 can determine that a clientdevice is capable of receiving data transmitted through MU-MIMO in asubsequent session and update device characteristics data to indicatethe client device is capable of communicating with a wave 2 radioaccording to MU-MIMO.

The device characteristics datastore 306 functions to store devicecharacteristics data indicating device characteristics of a clientdevice. The device characteristics datastore 306 can store devicecharacteristics data that is updated and modified as a client deviceaccesses a network during multiple sessions. In various implementations,device characteristics data stored in the device characteristicsdatastore 306 can be used to determine which radio of a hybrid low powernetwork device to assign to communicate with a client device inproviding access for the client device to a network. For example, devicecharacteristics data stored in the device characteristics datastore 306can be used to determine whether to assign a client device to a wave 2radio for communicating with in accessing a network.

The data profiling engine 308 functions to profile data transmitted toand from a client device in accessing a network. In profiling datatransmitted to a client device, the data profiling engine 308 candetermine data characteristics of data transmitted to and from a clientdevice and create data characteristics data indicating the determineddata characteristics. For example, the data profiling engine 308 candetermine that a client device is receiving voice data. In anotherexample, the data profiling engine 308 can determine that a clientdevice is transmitting voice data.

In a specific implementation, the data profiling engine 308 functions tocontinually determine data characteristics of data transmitted to andfrom a plurality of client devices during multiple sessions the clientdevices have in accessing a network. For example, the data profilingengine 308 can determine that a first client device is receivingstreaming video data during a first session and that a second clientdevice is receiving webpage data during a second session.

The data characteristics datastore 310 functions to store datacharacteristics data indicating data characteristics of data transmittedto and from a client device. The data characteristics datastore 310 canstore data characteristics data that is updated and modified as aplurality of client devices access a network during multiple sessions.In various implementations, data characteristics data stored in the datacharacteristics datastore 310 can be used to determine which radio of ahybrid low power network device to assign to communicate with a clientdevice in providing access for the client device to a network. Forexample, data characteristics data stored in the data characteristicsdatastore 310 can be used to determine whether to assign a client deviceto a wave 2 radio for communicating with in accessing a network.

The traffic profiling engine 312 functions to profile network traffic ofa hybrid low power network device. In profiling network traffic of ahybrid low power network device, the traffic profiling engine 312 candetermine network traffic characteristics related to the hybrid lowpower network device and create traffic characteristics data indicatingthe determined network traffic characteristics. For example, the trafficprofiling engine 312 can determine that a wave 2 radio included as partof a low power hybrid network device is communicating with four separateclient devices. In another example, the traffic profiling engine 312 candetermine that a hybrid low power network device is supporting 8 datastreams.

In a specific implementation, the traffic profiling engine 312 functionsto continually determine network traffic characteristics of a hybrid lowpower network device. For example, the traffic profiling engine 312 candetermine that a hybrid low power network device is initially supporting8 data streams and then is supporting 7 data streams after a clientdevice ends a session.

The traffic characteristics datastore 314 functions to store trafficcharacteristics data indicating network traffic characteristics of ahybrid low power network device. The traffic characteristics datastore314 can store traffic characteristics data that is updated and modifiedas a plurality of client devices access a network through a hybrid lowpower network device during multiple sessions. In variousimplementations, traffic characteristics data stored in the trafficcharacteristics datastore 314 can be used to determine which radio of ahybrid low power network device to assign to communicate with a clientdevice in providing access for the client device to a network. Forexample, traffic characteristics data stored in the trafficcharacteristics datastore 314 can be used to determine whether to assigna client device to a wave 2 radio for communicating with in accessing anetwork.

The radio assignment engine 316 functions to assign a client device to aradio of a hybrid low power network device to communicate with inaccessing a network. Depending upon implementation-specific or otherconsiderations, the radio assignment engine 316 can assign a clientdevice to communicate with a wave 1 radio of a hybrid low power networkdevice or a wave 2 radio of the hybrid low power network device. Furtherdepending upon implementation-specific or other considerations, theradio assignment engine 316 can switch a radio assignment of a clientdevice during a session. For example, the radio assignment engine 316can initially assign a client device to a wave 2 radio of a hybrid lowpower network device and then switch assignment of the client device toa wave 1 radio of the hybrid low power network device, during a sessionof the client device.

In a specific implementation, the radio assignment engine 316 assigns aclient device to a radio of a hybrid low power network device foraccessing a network based on device characteristics of the clientdevice. The radio assignment engine 316 can use device characteristicsdata describing device characteristics of a client device to assign theclient device to a radio of a hybrid low power network device. Forexample, if device characteristics of a client device indicate that theclient device is configured to receive data through MU-MIMO, then theradio assignment engine 316 can assign the client device to a wave 2radio of a hybrid low power network device in accessing a network. Inanother example, if device characteristics of a client device indicatethat the client device is configured to send and receive data onlythrough SU-MIMO, then the radio assignment engine 316 can assign theclient device to a wave 1 radio of a hybrid low power network device inaccessing a network.

In a specific implementation, the radio assignment engine 316 assigns aclient device to a radio of a hybrid low power network device foraccessing a network based on data characteristics of data transmitted toand/or received from the client device. The radio assignment engine 316can use data characteristics data describing data characteristics ofdata transmitted to and/or received from a client device to assign theclient device to a radio of a hybrid low power network device. Forexample, if data characteristics of data transmitted to a clientindicate that the client device is receiving large amounts of data inaccessing a network, then the radio assignment engine 316 can assign theclient device to a wave 2 radio of a hybrid low power network device inaccessing the network. In another example, if data characteristics ofdata transmitted to a client device indicate that the client device isreceiving small amounts of data in accessing a network, then the radioassignment engine 316 can assign the client device to a wave 1 radio ofa hybrid low power network device in accessing the network.

In a specific implementation, the radio assignment engine 316 assigns aclient device to a radio of a hybrid low power network device foraccessing a network based on network traffic characteristics of thehybrid low power network device. The radio assignment engine 316 can usetraffic characteristics data describing network traffic characteristicsa radio of a hybrid low power network device to assign a client deviceto a radio of the hybrid low power network device. For example, ifnetwork traffic characteristics of a hybrid low power network deviceindicate a wave 1 radio of the hybrid low power network device is notsupporting any data streams and a wave 2 radio of the hybrid low powernetwork device is supporting four data streams, then the radioassignment engine 316 can assign a client device to the wave 1 radio inaccessing a network. In another example, if network trafficcharacteristics of a hybrid low power network device indicate that awave 2 radio of the hybrid low power network device is not supportingany data streams and a wave 1 radio of the hybrid low power networkdevice is supporting four data streams, then the radio assignment engine316 can assign a client device to the wave 2 radio in accessing anetwork.

In a specific implementation, the radio assignment engine 316 assigns aclient device to a radio of a hybrid low power network device foraccessing a network based on a combination of device characteristics ofthe client device, data characteristics of data transmitted to and/orreceived from the client device, and/or network traffic characteristicsof the hybrid low power network device. The radio assignment engine 316can use device characteristics data, data characteristics data, and/ortraffic characteristics data to assign a client device a radio of ahybrid low power network device for accessing a network. For example, ifnetwork traffic characteristics of a hybrid low power network deviceindicate a wave 1 radio of the hybrid low power network device issupporting 4 data streams and a wave 2 radio of the hybrid low powernetwork device is only supporting 1 data stream and devicecharacteristics of a client device indicate the client device isconfigured to receive data transmitted using MU-MIMO, then the radioassignment engine 316 can assign the client device to the wave 2 radioin accessing a network.

In a specific implementation, the radio assignment engine 316 assigns aclient device to a radio of a hybrid low power network device foraccessing a network based on power consumption of the hybrid low powernetwork device. For example, if the hybrid low power network device isapproaching a threshold power consumption level, e.g. 17 W, then theradio assignment engine 316 can assign client devices communicating witha wave 2 radio of the hybrid low power network device to a wave 1 radioof the hybrid low power network device. In various implementations,components of the hybrid low power network device can have specificthreshold power consumption levels. For example, a wave 1 radio of ahybrid low power network device can have a threshold power consumptionlevel of 4 W and a wave 2 radio of the hybrid low power network devicecan have a threshold power consumption level of 5 W. Depending uponimplementation-specific or other considerations, the radio assignmentengine 316 can assign a client device to radios of a hybrid low powernetwork device for accessing a network based on power consumption levelsof the radios of the hybrid low power network device. For example, if awave 2 radio of a hybrid low power network device is consuming power ata level above a power consumption level of the wave 2 radio, then theradio assignment engine 316 can assign client devices communicating withthe wave 2 radio to a wave 1 radio of the hybrid low power networkdevice.

In an example of operation of the example system shown in FIG. 3, thedevice profiling engine 304 generates device characteristics dataindicating device characteristics of a client device accessing a networkthrough a hybrid low power network device. In the example of operationof the example system shown in FIG. 3, the device characteristicsdatastore 306 stores the device characteristics data generated by thedevice profiling engine 304. Further, in the example of operation of theexample system shown in FIG. 3, the data profiling engine 308 generatesdata characteristics data indicating data characteristics of datatransmitted to and from client devices in accessing the network throughthe hybrid low power network device. In the example of operation of theexample system shown in FIG. 3, the data characteristics datastore 310stores the data characteristics data generated by the data profilingengine 308. In the example of operation of the example system shown inFIG. 3, the traffic profiling engine 312 generates trafficcharacteristics data indicating network traffic characteristics of thehybrid low power network device in providing access to the network. Inthe example of operation of the example system shown in FIG. 3, thetraffic characteristics datastore 314 stores the traffic characteristicsdata generated by the traffic profiling engine 312. Additionally, in theexample of operation of the example system shown in FIG. 3, the radioassignment engine 316 assigns the client device to radios of the hybridlow power network device in accessing the network based on the devicecharacteristics data, the data characteristics data, and the trafficcharacteristics data.

FIG. 4 depicts a diagram 400 of an example of a system for managingpower consumption in a hybrid low power network device. The system shownin FIG. 4 includes a power management system 402. The power managementsystem 402 functions according to an applicable system for managingpower consumption of a hybrid low power network device, such as thepower management systems described in this paper. In managing powerconsumption of a hybrid low power network device, the power managementsystem 402 can determine how much power is being consumed by componentsof the hybrid low power network device at any given time. For example,the power management system 402 can determine that a wave 1 radio of ahybrid low power network device is consuming 15 W while a wave 2 radioof the hybrid low power network device is consuming 17 W. Further, inmanaging power consumption of a hybrid low power network device, thepower management system 402 can control operation of components of thehybrid low power network device according to power consumption levels ofthe hybrid low power network device. For example, the power managementsystem 402 can disable an Ethernet port if the hybrid low power networkdevice is consuming power above a threshold power consumption level.

In the example of FIG. 4, the power management system 402 includes apower consumption determination engine 404 and a power control engine406. The power consumption determination engine 404 functions todetermine power consumption levels of a hybrid low power network device.In various implementations, the power consumption determination engine404 can determine power consumption levels of individual components in ahybrid low power network device. For example, the power managementsystem 402 can determine that a wave 1 radio of a hybrid low powernetwork device is consuming 15 W while a wave 2 radio of the hybrid lowpower network device is consuming 17 W. Depending uponimplementation-specific or other considerations, the power consumptiondetermination engine 404 can determine a power consumption level of ahybrid low power network device continuously in real-time, or at setintervals. For example the power consumption determination engine 404can be configured to determine power consumption levels of a hybrid lowpower network device every minute.

The power control engine 406 functions to control operation ofcomponents of a hybrid low power network device according to powerconsumption levels of the hybrid low power network device. Incontrolling operation of components of a hybrid low power networkdevice, the power control engine 406 can shut down components of thehybrid low power network device based on power consumption levels. Forexample, if a power consumption level of a hybrid low power networkdevice is approaching a threshold power consumption level, then thepower control engine 406 can disable an Ethernet port of the hybrid lowpower network device. Depending upon implementation-specific or otherconsiderations, the power control engine 406 can control operation ofcomponents of a hybrid low power network device based on powerconsumption levels and network traffic characteristics of the hybrid lowpower network device. For example, if a power consumption level of ahybrid low power network device is approaching a threshold powerconsumption level and network traffic characteristics indicate a wave 1radio of the hybrid low power network device is not supporting any datastreams, then the power control engine 406 can turn off the wave 1radio.

In an example of operation of the example system shown in FIG. 4, thepower consumption determination engine 404 determines power consumptionlevels of a hybrid low power network device. In the example of operationof the example system shown in FIG. 4, the power control engine 406controls operation of components of the hybrid low power network devicebased on the power consumption levels determined by the powerconsumption determination engine 404.

FIG. 5 depicts a diagram of a flowchart 500 of an example method forassigning a client device to communicate with a wave 1 radio or a wave 2radio of a hybrid low power network device in accessing a network. Theflowchart 500 begins at module 502, where device characteristics of aclient device are determined. An applicable engine for determiningdevice characteristics, such as the device profiling engines describedin this paper, can determine device characteristics of a client device.For example, it can be determined whether a client device is configuredto communicate over a wireless communication channel according toSU-MIMO or MU-MIMO.

The flowchart 500 continues to module 504, where data characteristics ofdata transmitted to and/or from the client device is determined. Anapplicable engine for determining data characteristics, such as the dataprofiling engines described in this paper, can determined datacharacteristics of data transmitted to and/or from the client device.For example, it can be determined if voice streaming video data is beingtransmitted to the client device.

The flowchart 500 continues to module 506, where network trafficcharacteristics of a hybrid low power network device are determined. Anapplicable engine for determining network traffic characteristics, suchas the traffic profiling engines described in this paper. For example,it can be determined how many data streams each radio of a hybrid lowpower network device are supporting.

The flowchart 500 continues to module 508, where the client device isassigned to communicate with either a wave 1 radio or a wave 2 radio ofthe hybrid low power network device based on the device characteristics,the data characteristics, and/or the network traffic characteristics. Anapplicable engine for assigning a client device to a radio, such as theradio assignment engines described in this paper, can assign the clientdevice to communicate with either a wave 1 radio or a wave 2 radio ofthe hybrid low power network device based on the device characteristics,the data characteristics, and/or the network traffic characteristics.Depending upon implementation-specific or other considerations, theclient device can already be assigned to a radio of the hybrid low powernetwork device and communicating using the radio before being reassignedto a new radio or assigned again to the same radio at module 508.

FIG. 6 depicts a diagram of a flowchart 600 of an example method formanaging power consumption of a hybrid low power network device inaccessing a network. The flowchart 600 begins at module 602, where apower consumption level of a hybrid low power network device isdetermined. An applicable engine for determining power consumptionlevels, such as the power consumption determination engines described inthis paper. Depending upon implementation-specific or otherconsiderations, power consumption levels of individual components can bedetermined to determine an overall power consumption level of the hybridlow power network device. For example, a power consumption level of awave 1 radio and a power consumption level of a wave 2 radio can bedetermined to determine an overall power consumption level of the hybridlow power network device.

The flowchart 600 continues to decision point 604, where it isdetermined if the power consumption level of the hybrid low powernetwork device is greater than a threshold power consumption level. Anapplicable engine for comparing power consumption levels, such as thepower control engines described in this paper, can determine if a thepower consumption level is greater than a threshold power consumptionlevel. Depending upon implementation-specific or other considerations,it can be determined if a power consumption level of the hybrid lowpower network device or components of the hybrid low power networkdevice are greater than a threshold power consumption level.

The flowchart 600 continues to module 606, where at least one componentof the hybrid low power network device is disabled. An applicable enginefor disabling components of the hybrid low power network device, such asthe power control engines described in this paper, can disable at leastone component of the hybrid low power network device. Depending uponimplementation-specific or other considerations, a component of thehybrid low power network device is disabled. For example, if a powerconsumption level of the hybrid low power network device is greater thana threshold power consumption level, then an Ethernet port of the hybridlow power network device can be disabled. In another example, if a powerconsumption level of a wave 2 radio of the hybrid low power networkdevice is greater than a threshold power consumption level, then thewave 2 radio can be disabled, or client devices supported by the wave 2radio can be assigned to a wave 1 radio of the hybrid low power networkdevice.

These and other examples provided in this paper are intended toillustrate but not necessarily to limit the described implementation. Asused herein, the term “implementation” means an implementation thatserves to illustrate by way of example but not limitation. Thetechniques described in the preceding text and figures can be mixed andmatched as circumstances demand to produce alternative implementations.

1. A hybrid low power network device comprising: a wave 1 radioconfigured to provide client devices wireless access to a network usingSU-MIMO; a wave 2 radio configured to provide the client deviceswireless access to the network using MU-MIMO; a radio management systemconfigured to assign the client devices to either the wave 1 radio orthe wave 2 radio for communicating over wireless communication channelsin accessing the network and steer MU-MIMO capable client devices of theclient devices to the wave 2 radio; first and second Ethernet ports,wherein at least one of the first and second Ethernet ports areconfigured to provide power to the hybrid low power network device andallow at least one of the wave 1 radio and the wave 2 radio tocommunicate with the network; in operation the hybrid low power networkdevice is configured to operate at a power consumption level under 17 Win providing the client devices wireless access to the network.
 2. Thehybrid low power network device of claim 1, wherein the wave 1 radio isconfigured to selectively operate within a 2.4 GHz frequency band or a 5GHz frequency band.
 3. The hybrid low power network device of claim 1,wherein the wave 2 radio is configured to operate within a 5 GHzfrequency band.
 4. The hybrid low power network device of claim 1,wherein the hybrid low power network device is configured to operate ata power consumption level at or beneath the power over Ethernet limit.5. The hybrid low power network device of claim 1, further comprising: adevice profiling engine configured to determine device characteristicsof the client devices; a radio assignment engine configured to assignthe client devices to either the wave 1 radio or the wave 2 radio forcommunicating over the wireless communication channels in accessing thenetwork based on the device characteristics of the client devices. 6.The hybrid low power network device of claim 1, further comprising: adata profiling engine configured to determine data characteristics ofdata transmitted to and from the client devices by the hybrid low powernetwork device; a radio assignment engine configured to assign theclient devices to either the wave 1 radio or the wave 2 radio forcommunicating over the wireless communication channels in accessing thenetwork based on the data characteristics of the data transmitted to andfrom the client devices.
 7. The hybrid low power network device of claim1, further comprising: a traffic profiling engine configured todetermine network traffic characteristics of the hybrid lo power networkdevice; a radio assignment engine configured to assign the clientdevices to either the wave 1 radio or the wave 2 radio for communicatingover the wireless communication channels in accessing the network basedon the network traffic characteristics of the hybrid low power networkdevice.
 8. The hybrid low power network device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a device profiling engine configured to determine devicecharacteristics of the client devices; a data profiling engineconfigured to determine data characteristics of data transmitted to andfrom the client devices by the hybrid low power network device; atraffic profiling engine configured to determine network trafficcharacteristics of the hybrid lo power network device; a radioassignment engine configured to assign the client devices to either thewave 1 radio or the wave 2 radio for communicating over the wirelesscommunication channels in accessing the network based on a combinationof at least two of the device characteristics of the client devices, thedata characteristics of the data transmitted to and from the clientdevice, and the network traffic characteristics of the hybrid low powernetwork device.
 9. The hybrid low power network device of claim 1,wherein the radio management system is configured to initially assign aclient device of the client devices to the wave 2 radio and subsequentlyassign the client device.
 10. The hybrid low power network device ofclaim 1, further comprising a radio assignment engine configured toassign the client devices to either the wave 1 radio or the wave 2 radiofor communicating over the wireless communication channels in accessingthe network based on power consumption levels of components of thehybrid low power network device.
 11. The hybrid low power network deviceof claim 1, further comprising: a power consumption determination engineconfigured to determine power consumption levels of components of thehybrid low power network device; a power control engine configured todisable at least one of the components of the hybrid low power networkdevice based on the power consumption levels of the components of thehybrid low power network device.
 12. The hybrid low power network deviceof claim 1, wherein the power control engine is configured to disableone of the first and second Ethernet ports.
 13. A method comprising:determining a radio of a hybrid low power network device to assignclient devices to in wirelessly accessing a network, the hybrid lowpower network device including a wave 1 radio configured to provide theclient devices wireless access to a network using SU-MIMO, a wave 2radio configured to provide the client devices wireless access to thenetwork using MU-MIMO, first and second Ethernet ports, wherein at leastone of the first and second Ethernet ports are configured to providepower to the hybrid low power network device and allow at least one ofthe wave 1 radio and the wave 2 radio to communicate with the network,the hybrid low power network device is configured to operate at a powerconsumption level between 15 and 17 W in providing the client deviceswireless access to the network; assigning the client devices to eitherthe wave 1 radio or the wave 2 radio; steering MU-MIMO capable clientdevices of the client devices to the wave 2 radio; determining powerconsumption levels of components of the hybrid low power network device;managing the components of the hybrid low power network device based onthe power consumption levels of the components of the hybrid low powernetwork device.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising disablingat least one of the components of the hybrid low power network devicebased on the power consumption levels of the components of the hybridlow power network device.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein one of thefirst and second Ethernet ports is disabled.
 16. The method of claim 13,further comprising: determining device characteristics of the clientdevices; assigning the client devices to either the wave 1 radio or thewave 2 radio for communicating over the wireless communication channelsin accessing the network based on the device characteristics of theclient devices.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:determining data characteristics of data transmitted to and from theclient devices by the hybrid low power network device; assigning theclient devices to either the wave 1 radio or the wave 2 radio forcommunicating over the wireless communication channels in accessing thenetwork based on the data characteristics of the data transmitted to andfrom the client devices.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:determining network traffic characteristics of the hybrid lo powernetwork device; assigning the client devices to either the wave 1 radioor the wave 2 radio for communicating over the wireless communicationchannels in accessing the network based on the network trafficcharacteristics of the hybrid low power network device.
 19. The methodof claim 13, further comprising: determining device characteristics ofthe client devices; determining data characteristics of data transmittedto and from the client devices by the hybrid low power network device;determining network traffic characteristics of the hybrid lo powernetwork device; assigning the client devices to either the wave 1 radioor the wave 2 radio for communicating over the wireless communicationchannels in accessing the network based on a combination of at least twoof the device characteristics of the client devices, the datacharacteristics of the data transmitted to and from the client device,and the network traffic characteristics of the hybrid low power networkdevice.
 20. A system comprising: means for determining a radio of ahybrid low power network device to assign client devices to in wirelessly accessing a network, the hybrid low power network device including awave 1 radio configured to provide the client devices wireless access toa network using SU-MIMO, a wave 2 radio configured to provide the clientdevices wireless access to the network using MU-MIMO, first and secondEthernet ports, wherein at least one of the first and second Ethernetports are configured to provide power to the hybrid low power networkdevice and allow at least one of the wave 1 radio and the wave 2 radioto communicate with the network, the hybrid low power network device isconfigured to operate at a power consumption level between 15 and 17 Win providing the client devices wireless access to the network; meansfor assigning the client devices to either the wave 1 radio or the wave2 radio; means for steering MU-MIMO capable client devices of the clientdevices to the wave 2 radio: means for determining power consumptionlevels of components of the hybrid low power network device; means formanaging the components of the hybrid low power network device based onthe power consumption levels of the components of the hybrid low powernetwork device.
 21. The hybrid low power network device of claim 1,wherein in operation the hybrid low power network device is configuredto operate at under the IEEE 802.11af power budget.